The '''''Philokalia''''' is a collection of writings, mostly centering on practicing the [[virtues]] and spiritual living in a [[monastery]]. In recent decades it has become an important resource for Orthodox Christians, [[laity]] and [[clergy]] alike, in personal living and in some ways has achieved status as a major secondary spiritual written resource (after the primary one, [[Holy Scripture]]) along with St. [[John Climacus]]' ''The Ladder of Divine Ascent''.

The '''''Philokalia''''' is a collection of writings, mostly centering on practicing the [[virtues]] and spiritual living in a [[monastery]]. In recent decades it has become an important resource for Orthodox Christians, [[laity]] and [[clergy]] alike, in personal living and in some ways has achieved status as a major secondary spiritual written resource (after the primary one, [[Holy Scripture]]) along with St. [[John Climacus]]' ''The Ladder of Divine Ascent''.

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== History of the Compilation ==

== History of the Compilation ==

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#The Declaration of the Holy Mountain in Defence of Those who Devoutly Practice a Life of Stillness

#The Declaration of the Holy Mountain in Defence of Those who Devoutly Practice a Life of Stillness

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Information can be found in the English translation of the Philokalia.

[[Category:Asceticism]]

[[Category:Asceticism]]

[[Category:Texts]]

[[Category:Texts]]

Revision as of 20:28, January 31, 2005

The Philokalia is a collection of writings, mostly centering on practicing the virtues and spiritual living in a monastery. In recent decades it has become an important resource for Orthodox Christians, laity and clergy alike, in personal living and in some ways has achieved status as a major secondary spiritual written resource (after the primary one, Holy Scripture) along with St. John Climacus' The Ladder of Divine Ascent.

Contents

History of the Compilation

The Philokalia—Greek for "love of the beautiful/holy/exalted"—was first assembled at Mount Athos by St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain and Makarios of Corinth. The first edition was published at Venice in 1782; a second was done at Athens in 1893, which included a prayer by Patriarch Kallistos; and a third at Athens between 1957 and 1963 by the Astir Publishing Company. All the original writings in the Philokalia were written in Greek with the exception of two, which were originally in Latin but then translated in Greek during the time of the Roman ("Byzantine") Empire.

Soon the Philokalia was translated into different languages. In 1793, a Slavonic translation done by St. Paisii Velichkovskii (1722-1794) was published at Moscow under the title Dobrotolubiye and later reprinted in 1822. This would be the version carried by the unnamed central character in The Way of a Pilgrim and was responsible for a spiritual revival in 19th century Russia.

Contents of the Philokalia

This listing of texts is based on the English translation, started by Bishop Kallistos Ware, G.E.H. Palmer and Philip Sherrard and published by Faber and Faber Ltd. The fifth volume has yet to be published. While there is no definite date set, it is predicted by the publisher to be made available sometime late in 2005.

For the Encouragement of the Monks in India who had Written to Him: 100 Texts

Ascetic Discourse Sent at the Request of the Same Monks in India

There is also an appendix entitled "On the Character of Men and on the Virtuous Life: 170 Texts." Nicodemus attributes it to the model monastic Antony of Egypt; however the language and the general idea is not explicitly Christian. It was included perhaps because it had resonances of Christianity and Nicodemus thought that another work—from Peter of Damascus—quotes from this work and attributes it to Antony. However no such connection can be found.